Hi…It’s Bukola here. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this again but here I am.

The little girl in the picture is me. Smiling, undiagnosed, and feeling very loved. That was when I turned 1 years old. I didn’t get diagnosed until the age of 8 and I of course suffered for those years without knowing much.

In 2020, I had a huge health crisis and had racked up so much medical debt that I could barely swim. A lot of you helped me get out of it and I am forever grateful.

I would’ve hope to not have to share my medical difficulties yet again but just because I didn’t ask doesn’t mean my illness disappeared. Sickle Cell at this moment is a lifelong disease for me because I don’t have the millions needed nor do I have insurance willing to cover the gene therapy/cure.

To be honest, I’m grateful it exists but at this moment it’s far out of reach. I am on other meds tho and I have some pretty hefty copays with ALL the doctors I see. I still get hospitalized but I don’t share much nor document it anymore. It becomes too emotionally painful to experience at times. In simple words, it sucks.

It is limiting. I had started grad school last fall but struggled immensely. Sickle cell disease is so awful to have. It affects not only my physical health but also my mental and financial health.

Some of you may know, I threw a party when I turned 25years old because the doctors always said I probably wouldn’t live past that. Turning 26 means I got kicked off my mom’s insurance. Now I’m turning 27 and it feels like things have gone back to that time. I get daily crises and severe ones that lead to the hospital. With sickle cell come a plethora of other illnesses. Fun! I know. It’s like I’ve hit the jackpot. I truly try not to burden my friends and family but that’s what I am. I’m tired of always falling into medical debt and facing economic burdens in relation to my health.

I am truly asking for your help again. I want to succeed despite my struggles and this debilitating illness. I want to succeed before I get to a point where I can’t do the things I love. I just want to be happy and to me that is success.

Any donation amount is appreciated.